[ Isaiah's PoV ]
The Devil Express rumbled through the dimensional tunnel. Purple and crimson light bled through the windows, painting everything in shades of the Underworld. I pressed my shoulder against the plush seat, watching a distorted space twist past.
For the first time in my life, I'd faced defeat without even lifting a weapon. A week later, I still found no clue to who was behind the assassination attempt, no, it would be more appropriate to say it was an assessing attempt. Not only Diodora refrain from asking about it but I saw no such incidents where I would be forced to use it.
And that was really concerning.
It's going to be a lot troublesome whoever planned to gauge information about me. Sigh, for now, I should focus on myself and not bother with unnecessary stuff.
"Senpai, you look troubled"
Koneko sat beside me, small fingers picking at expensive Underworld chocolates. The real mana-infused cacao that practically melted on contact. She didn't look at me, but I caught the slight tilt of her head, waiting for my response.
"I was just thinking about using a Bishop piece for Ravel. What do you think, Koneko-chan?"
Her hand paused halfway to her mouth. Golden eyes flicked toward me.
"Senpai doesn't have to waste it on her."
Ravel and Koneko were like cats in a too-small room. Not hostile exactly, but wary. Koneko valued quiet and sweets and being left alone. Ravel was all sharp edges and Phenex pride and quick retorts.
But they were nowhere near those devil nobles that led to three days of smiling at people I wanted to punch.
"So" Rias turned from the window, fixing me with those blue-green eyes "How was it, the Devil Promotion Ceremony?"
I glanced at her. She had that look—the one that said she knew I was downplaying things and wanted the actual story.
"Bad," I said. Rubbed the back of my neck "Lord Zephyrdor cornered me in the ceremonial hall. Spent twenty minutes explaining why his daughter would make an 'excellent Queen' for my peerage. He presented me an actual portfolio with her stats and abilities listed like she was more of a trading card than her daughter he loves"
"That's not even the worst part" I continued "Lady Amduscias offered me a 'strategic alliance' that involved marrying three of her daughters. At the same time. Said it would 'strengthen political ties' and asked if I had a preference for the wedding order."
Rias's eyebrow twitched.
But Akeno found it amusing while Asia tried to mutter in disbelief if such a thing existed.
"...," Koneko kept quiet with a mouthful of chocolate.
"I didn't accept" I said quickly "Obviously. But she kept following me around the reception. Kept adjusting the offer. By the end she was down to two daughters and a trade agreement."
Rias chuckled, then tried to cover it with a cough. "That's... something I should have warned you about"
"It's fine," I said. Which was a lie but whatever. "To them, I'm basically fresh meat to the noble families."
"Still," Rias said "You handled it well. I heard from my brother that you deflected every proposal without offending anyone. That's... actually impressive"
I shrugged.
"Yeah," I said.
Rias caught it. The shift in my tone. Her eyes narrowed slightly. "Did something happen? Beyond the marriage proposals?"
"Not really"
She didn't believe me. I could see it in her face. But she also knew when to push and when to let things go.
"Get some rest tonight," she said. "Tomorrow we're back to normal school schedule. The peace treaty will be happening tomorrow as well, so there might be some... work. But it should be fine."
"Buchou" Akeno said quietly "Do you think it'll actually work? The treaty?"
Rias looked out the window again. Quiet for a moment. "I don't know. Michael, Azazel, and Sirzechs-onii-sama all want peace. But wanting something and achieving it are different things." She paused. "There are devils who still hate angels. Angels who still hate fallen. Fallen who still hate everyone. Old grudges don't disappear just because leaders sign papers."
'The war lasted millennia. People lost family. Friends. Lovers. That kind of hatred doesn't just... evaporate with just that. But still it's better than no more getting surprise attacks like one from Kokabeil.
The train lurched. Colors shifted from crimson to grey. Kuoh's devil terminal materializing through the dimensional walls.
We stood up, then filed out onto the platform.
"See you tomorrow," Rias said. "And Isaiah? If something's bothering you... my door is open. You know that, right?"
I nodded. "I know. Thanks, Buchou."
She smiled. Walked toward the exit with that confident stride.
Koneko wandered after her, after saying her farewell.
Asia bowed slightly. "Get some rest, Isaiah-san."
Akeno lingered. Just for a second. That knowing smile still on her face. "Sweet dreams, Kiba-kun~"
Then she was gone too.
I walked the opposite direction.
Alone with my thoughts and the vial and the growing certainty that someone wanted me very fucking dead.
---
Afternoon light slanted through the living room windows. Lady Rayne sat with financial documents spread across her lap, pen moving in quick, precise strokes. Ravel occupied the adjacent chair, magazine open but eyes tracking her mother's work instead of the glossy pages.
Both looked up when I entered.
"Isaiah-sama." Lady Rayne set her pen down, smile warm but assessing. "Welcome back. How was the Underworld?"
I pulled the velvet case from my jacket, setting it on the coffee table.
Evil Pieces.
Ravel leaned forward, curiosity bright in her eyes "The Devil Promotion Ceremony—was it really as grand as they say?"
"Worse" I dropped into the armchair across from them. "I was dodging marriage proposals and deflecting political alliances every day of my stay. Every devil noble within three territories wanted either my hand in marriage or my signature on a favor contract"
Lady Rayne's smile turned knowing. "The price of potential. And my brother? Did you meet him?"
I kept my expression neutral. "No. He was occupied with clan affairs. Though I did receive a gift supposedly from him."
Asking about her will likely lead to her asking her brother about it and then my unawareness about it, will be in spotlight. And that's the mistake I would rather not commit to at this moment.
Disappointment flickered across Lady Rayne's face, but nonetheless she smiled in affirmation, not trying to ruin the mood.
Lord Astaroth probably had wanted to thank me. Someone had just used that gratitude as a convenient cover for murdering a young handsome devil.
I shifted topics before she could dig deeper "Actually, there's something I wanted to discuss."
I opened the case. Light caught the pieces, made them glow like captured stars.
"Ravel. I want you to officially join my peerage as my Bishop now"
The magazine slipped from Ravel's fingers. Hit the floor with a soft thump.
"Now?"
"Yes" I pulled out one of the Bishop pieces. It sat in my palm, warm and humming. "You've proven yourself. Combat skills, strategic mind, and above all your loyalty to me. You've been fighting alongside us without the formal bond. It's about time to make it official"
"Isaiah-sama, I..." Her confidence faltered slightly "I would be honored"
She stood. Moved to kneel before me with practiced Phenex grace. Lady Rayne watched, hands folded, pride barely concealed.
I pressed the Bishop piece against Ravel's chest.
It sank in. Just melted through cloth and skin like water through paper. Ravel gasped, back arching. Her eyes went wide—then glassy. She swayed and then another piece of her mother's bishop piece was pulled out and landed on the floor.
Then light erupted.
Phoenix fire bloomed from her chest, golden and furious. Her body convulsed. Demonic power flooded through her, intertwining with her innate Phenex abilities, rewriting her on a fundamental level. The air temperature spiked. Papers on Lady Rayne's lap curled at the edges.
Ravel sucked in a breath. Her eyes snapped open—still blue, but brighter. More intense. She blinked, disoriented, then stared at her hands.
Small flames danced between her fingers. Perfect control, where before it had taken concentration.
"Incredible," she breathed. "It's different from when brother made me his bishop or being traded to mother"
"Welcome to the peerage" I smiled.
"Thank you, Isaiah-sama. I won't let you down" She bowed lifting hem of her skirt elegantly.
"I know"
Then, I turned to Lady Rayne.
"I have the same offer for you"
Silence crashed down.
Lady Rayne's eyes widened. First time I'd seen genuine surprise break through her composure.
"You wish for me to join as well?" Lady Rayne recovered quickly, but questions spun behind her eyes. "Isaiah-sama, I'm honored. But I must ask—why? I'm already under your protection. A formal peerage bond seems unnecessary."
I leaned forward. Met her gaze directly. "Because you're invaluable just as Ravel. Magic, combat, strategy, business negotiation—I've heard a lot about your knowledge around veteran devil merchants. And having both you and Ravel in my peerage officially sends a message."
"What message, Isaiah sama?" Ravel asked, still glowing faintly with residual phoenix fire.
"That I value competence over age or status. That my peerage is built on genuine bonds"
Lady Rayne went still. Her fingers traced the edge of her documents—the tell that meant she was thinking hard.
"You've thought this through."
"I have."
"And you believe I'm best suited for...?"
"Bishop" I pulled the second Bishop piece from the case. Let it rest in my palm, glowing soft blue. "Your magical aptitude is exceptional. Your tactical mind would complement the position perfectly. Together with Ravel, you'd form the magical core of the peerage."
She looked at the piece. Then at her daughter. Ravel's expression was complicated—pride, hope, a silent plea.
"Very well." Lady Rayne stood, moved to kneel with centuries of practice making it look effortless. "I accept, Isaiah-sama. I will serve you and your ambitions."
I pressed the Bishop piece to her chest.
It sank in. Disappeared like the first.
Then demonic power surged within the room.
Bright orange light erupted from her chest. Her demonic power—already considerable—amplified and refined itself in a cascading surge. The air shimmered with patterns of light weaving through her aura. Windows rattled. Documents scattered everywhere.
She gasped back to life. Her eyes snapped open, but burning with new intensity. She stared at her hands with astonishment.
"I hadn't expected..." She stood slowly, testing her mana "I would ever be a peerage member"
"Mom!" Ravel pulled her into a fierce hug "Together, We would do our best to serve Isaiah sama"
Lady Rayne laughed, returning the embrace. "I suppose we would, dear. Though I suspect I'll be learning quite a bit from all of you."
Well, that went way smoothly than I anticipated.
---
The next day.
Morning sun painted Kuoh's streets in gold. I walked with my hands in my pockets, Asia on my right, Koneko on my left. The usual rhythm of suburban Japan surrounded us—salary workers rushing to catch trains, shop owners opening shutters, the mechanical voice of crosswalk signals.
Asia clutched her school bag, green eyes bright with something between excitement and nerves. "Isaiah-san, is it true? The peace treaty happens today?"
"Yeah" I glanced at her "Angels, Fallen Angels, Devils. All three factions meeting in Kuoh Academy of all places."
"Incredible!" she smiled brightly but then asked "After so long... Do you think it will actually work?"
Koneko made a small noise. Not quite skeptical, but close.
I understood the sentiment. The Great War had ended, but the hatred hadn't. Three factions who'd spent millennia killing each other, suddenly sitting down for tea and treaties? The politics alone made my head hurt, but knowing the plot, it won't be troublesome unless someone like Kokabiel decides to start war.
"It'll work if everyone wants it to work," I said. "The leaders are smart enough to see the benefits"
"But if they succeed..." Asia's voice turned wistful. "Maybe things can really change. Maybe we won't have to fight anymore."
I didn't have the heart to tell her that peace treaties were just wars conducted through different means. The fighting wouldn't stop completely. It would just get more subtle.
We turned onto the main road leading to the academy. Kuoh's gates rose in the distance, wrought iron painted black, the school building beyond them modern and clean. Students streamed through the entrance in clusters, chattering about exams and club activities and weekend plans.
Normal and mundane. Everything a school should be.
Except tonight, it would host the most important supernatural summit in centuries.
"Senpai." Koneko's hand caught my sleeve. She'd stopped walking, ears twitching beneath her white hair.
I followed her gaze.
A boy stood on the bridge ahead of us. The one that arched over the small stream before the academy entrance. He leaned against the railing, posture casual, but something about the way he held himself screamed dangerous.
Silver hair caught the morning light.
They locked onto mine.
So he finally decided to show up.
He straightened. Pushed off the railing with lazy grace with a non chalant grin on his face.
"I've been waiting for you"
His voice carried across the distance, clear despite the morning traffic.
Asia pressed closer to my side. Koneko shifted her stance, ready to fight.
I kept walking until we were a few meters apart.
The possessor of Divine Dividing and the arch rival of Boosted Gear.
Vali Lucifer
. . .
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